McAleny confident of breakthrough

Everton youngster Conor McAleny is confident he can break into the Toffees first-team, but is prepared to wait for his chance.

The 20-year-old made his debut for the club against Arsenal last December but has yet to make another senior appearance.

His performances for the reserves persuaded the Toffees to offer him a two-year contract and he began the campaign with high hopes of making a mark on the first-team.

Injuries have hampered his progress in recent weeks but he is close to returning to full fitness, with a loan spell at Scunthorpe helping him with that aim.

The Whiston-born forward admits it will be a tough challenge trying to dislodge the likes of Nikica Jelavic, Kevin Mirallas and Victor Anichebe in the Everton starting XI.

However, he is keen to learn from his more experienced team-mates and is confident he could make an impact should he be given the chance.

“I know it takes time to progress,” He told the Liverpool Echo. “I want a run of games (for Everton U21s) and to get fully fit – then I’ll see where I am after that. I think if I got on for the first team I’d have a good chance of scoring.

“When [Louis] Saha was here he could do everything. I used to like watching him in training. I’d get absorbed watching how he did things.

“Then there’s Nikica Jelavic. He’s superb and another one I can learn from.

“He’s always there in the right place at the right time to score. I’m always learning.”

McAleny confident of breakthrough

Everton youngster Conor McAleny is confident he can break into the Toffees first-team, but is prepared to wait for his chance.

The 20-year-old made his debut for the club against Arsenal last December but has yet to make another senior appearance.

His performances for the reserves persuaded the Toffees to offer him a two-year contract and he began the campaign with high hopes of making a mark on the first-team.

Injuries have hampered his progress in recent weeks but he is close to returning to full fitness, with a loan spell at Scunthorpe helping him with that aim.

The Whiston-born forward admits it will be a tough challenge trying to dislodge the likes of Nikica Jelavic, Kevin Mirallas and Victor Anichebe in the Everton starting XI.

However, he is keen to learn from his more experienced team-mates and is confident he could make an impact should he be given the chance.

“I know it takes time to progress,” He told the Liverpool Echo. “I want a run of games (for Everton U21s) and to get fully fit – then I’ll see where I am after that. I think if I got on for the first team I’d have a good chance of scoring.

“When [Louis] Saha was here he could do everything. I used to like watching him in training. I’d get absorbed watching how he did things.

“Then there’s Nikica Jelavic. He’s superb and another one I can learn from.

“He’s always there in the right place at the right time to score. I’m always learning.”